Sizing up the Seattle Seahawks 2013 draft class

Where do they fit?

All over the internet you can find people grading the 2013 NFL Draft class. You might even be able to find one of my fellow writers here at Northwest Sports Beat grading them.

You won’t find me doing that, not yet anyway.

I do not believe you can grade a draft class for at least 3 years. Before that you are grading the team on player potential and not production. There is a reason Mel Kiper works for ESPN and not an NFL franchise.

Later on this offseason I will take a look at the 2010Seahawks draft class, the first class of the Pete Carroll and John Schneider era.

Take the good with the bad when it comes to Christine Michael. (Photo: Ronald Martinez)

I don’t think every pick is going to make the team this year like they did last season. These rookies are going to have to deal with some very tough position battles. In some cases they will supplant a veteran player, a move that is not going to be very popular with fans.

Let’s take a look at where the draft class fits in.

Pick 30 – Christine Michael – RB Texas A&M

After the Seahawks released Leon Washington to save cap room, it was evident the team would need a 3rd half-back. Seattle added free agent running back Derrick Coleman, drafted Christine Michael, and then added un-drafted free agent Dominique Whaley.

I have already penciled Christine’s name in as the team’s 3rd back. One of the other two would need to really impress–or hope that Michael fails–to have a shot.

Pick 87 – Jordan Hill – DT Penn St.

Like Christine, I have Jordan Hill as a lock to make the team. He gives the Seahawks a run-stuffing defensive tackle to line up next to Brandon Mebane.

Pick 123 – Chris Harper – WR Kansas State

I expect Chris Harper to be on the team’s final roster, however I am not ready to call it a lock as of yet. I currently have him as probable to make the team on my list.

Pick 137 – Jesse Williams – DT Alabama

From everything that I have heard his medical concerns will not be an issue.

If that is the case, I think Jesse Williams is a lock for a roster spot at defensive tackle.

Pick 138 – Tharold Simon – CB LSU

All of a sudden the cornerback position is getting very crowded in Seattle. I currently have 4 players locked into the position, leaving 1 or 2 left up for grabs. I do have Tharold Simon as probable to win one of them.

Pick 158 – Luke Wilson – TE Rice

Tharold Simon could become an impact player at Seattle (Getty Images)

The Seahawks have a clear need at tight end. I believe that Luke Wilson is in a true competition for a roster spot at this point.

I haven’t seen a whole lot of him so my opinion could change in the near future, but as of now, I have him in a battle with Darren Fells, Cooper Heifet and Sean McGrath for the team’s 3rd and final tight end spot.

Pick 194 – Spencer Ware – FB LSU

If Spencer Ware shows an ability to block at the profession level, the Seahawks will be able to save about $2 million by releasing Michael Robinson. It would not be a very popular move with the 12th man, but Robinson is being paid a lot of money for as little as he is on the field.

Pick 220 – Ryan Seymour – G Vanderbilt

One of the weakest spots on the team is at the guard position. While veteran Paul McQuistan has been playing guard, he is a tackle by trait. It would be nice to see them use him for depth instead of as a starter.

Currently, I think the Seahawks have 2 or three spots along the offensive line up for grabs.

Ryan Seymour is definitely in the running for one of them, yet he is definitely not a lock.

Pick 231 – Ty Powell – OLB Harding

Seahawks linebackers struggle to cover. They have for a while now. I think Ty Powell has a chance to earn a roster spot because he can cover. If he makes the roster, I would not be surprised to see the Seahawks use him in the nickel package or even eventually starting over 2011 7th round pick Malcolm Smith.

Pick 241 – Jared Smith – G New Hampshire

What I mean by that is that the team drafted a defensive lineman that they hoped could play guard. It is going to be tough for him to earn a roster spot. If he doesn’t, he could benefit from a year on the practice squad.

I said something similar about Sweezy last year and he was starting week 1.

Pick 242 – Michael Bowie – T Northeastern St.

Michael Bowie played for Oklahoma State until he was suspended for violating team rules and decided to leave the team for his senior season. I would not be surprised to see him on the practice squad, but he is in the battle for a roster spot on the offensive line.

These rookies are going to make training camp a little more interesting this year. There are questions about most of these guys.

Like I said earlier, I won’t grade the draft. I will, however, say that the Seahawks took a lot of players with the potential of being a huge steal. They also have the potential to be out of football due to injury or off the field issues.

Michael was taken with the 62 pick…not the 30th. Just sayin…can’t wait for camp! It’s going to be an awesome summer and an even better fall and winter! Go Hawks!

http://www.facebook.com/NorthwestProSports Brett Bivens

Thanks for the catch, I wrote the pick in the round and not the pick overall on that one. Thanks! Go Seahawks!

http://www.facebook.com/todd.macrae.1 Todd MacRae

When a team is stacked with talent and going to the playoffs, a successful draft tends to include a larger number of “boom or bust” players and projects. Lets hope that Seattle got more boom than bust! lol